Carboxyalkyl modified ethyl cellulose

ABSTRACT

Cellulose derivatives are described comprising a normally waterinsoluble ethyl cellulose having 0.05 to 0.4 carboxyalkyl groups per anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose. These derivatives are insoluble in water and in acid medium but are soluble in basic aqueous media. They also have been found to be thermogelling. The use of these derivatives as coating materials and as shaped objects via forming techniques making use of the thermogelling property is disclosed.

United States Patent [191 Klug [ July 22, 1975 CARBOXYALKYL MODIFIED ETHYL CELLULOSE Inventor: Eugene D. Klug, Wilmington, Del.

Hercules Incorporated, Wilmington, Del.

Filed: May 10, 1974 Appl. No.: 468,957

Assignee:

US. Cl 260/231 A; 106/186; 106/197 C;

117/166; 260/231 CM; 424/35 Int. Cl C08b 11/00 Field of Search 260/231 A, 231 CM, 232;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1l/1954 Spradling 106/197 C 1/1961 Scott 106/197 C FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 686,116 l/1953 United Kingdom 260/232 696,888 9/1953 United Kingdom... 260/232 734,924 8/1955 United Kingdom 260/232 Primary Examiner-Ronald W. Griffin Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam S. Alexander [57] ABSTRACT 4 Claims, No Drawings CARBOXYALKYL MODIFIED ETHYL CELLULOSE This inventio n'r elates to ethyl cellulose containing small amounts of a modifying substituent which leads to significant changes in the properties of the ethyl'cellulose. More specifically, it relates to normally waterinsolubleethyl cellulose having small'amounts of carboxyalkyl substitution whereby it becomes soluble in dilute aqueous alkaline systems. In one specific embodiment, it relates to a process of applying coatings and preparing shaped objects employing such modified ethyl cellulose derivatives.

Ethyl cellulose having an ethoxyl D.S. of about 2.0 and higher is a well-known water-insoluble ether of cellulose. Its durability, toughness, and water-resistant character have led to wide acceptance as a coating material. However, due to its water insolubility it has always had to be applied from an organic solvent medium, e.g., toluene-alcohol. This, of course, is disadvantageous in that such solvents are expensive and, unless recovered, they areenvironmentally objectionable. Any steps taken to recover the solvents add significantly to the expense of the coating systems in which they are employed.

' Now, in accordance with this invention, derivatives of normally water-insoluble ethyl cellulose ethers are provided which are soluble in aqueous media but which otherwise exhibit substantially all of the desirable properties of normally water-insoluble ethyl cellulose. The derivative according to this invention is carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose having D.S. about 0.05 to 0.40 carboxyalkyl and D.S. at least about 2.0 ethoxyl. The preferred carboxyalkyl substituents are carboxymethyl and carboxyethyl.

The carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose of this invention differs from the conventional ethyl cellulose from which it is derived principally by being soluble in dilute aqueous alkali. In view of the total insolubility of the unmodified ethyl cellulose in aqueous systems, this is a surprising observation. A product having D.S. 0.2 carboxymethyl, e.g., can form a 1% solution in approxi-- mately 0.25% aqueous ammonia at temperatures from about to 25C. These solutions have been found to be thermogelling. Thus, as heat is applied, the solution increases in viscosity and eventually gels.

Aside from its alkali solubility and related thermogelling capability, the modified ethyl cellulose of this invention is substantially identical to conventional ethyl cellulose. Thus, it is insoluble in neutral or acid aqueous media and soluble in many organic solvents. It exhibits excellent heat and light stability and its films remain tough and flexible at low temperatures. Additionally, its films have good mechanical properties and are resistant to oxygen and water vapor transmission. In the absence of alkali, it is not only water-insoluble, it is also highly resistant to swelling in water.

By virtue of this similarity to ethyl cellulose, the carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose of this invention is useful in many applications where ethyl cellulose is currently employed. The principal applications for ethyl cellulose are in the coatings field such as for lacquers, varnishes and; adhesives. It is also employed in preparing shaped articles. Since ethyl cellulose is normally employed in solution form, the solubility of the modified ethyl cellulose in water at slightly basic pI-l represents a clear advantage since it allows the application of coatings or the preparation of shaped articles from economically and environmentally preferable aqueous systems.

Any alkaline medium can be employed to dissolve the carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose of this invention. Inorganic bases such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or other hydroxides can be used. Organic bases such as low molecular weight water-soluble amines are also applicable.

When a volatile base, such as ammonia, or a low molecular weight organic base,'is employed to solubilize the carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose, the resultant solution can be baked at a slightly elevated temperature so that the base is removed with thewater and the modified ethyl cellulose becomes insoluble and highly swell resistant in water. Such a coating, however, can easily be redissolved in dilute aqueous alkali.

The modified ethyl cellulose of this invention thus makes an excellent material for use in environments which can be expected to be neutral or slightly acid. One example of such utility is in coatings or encapsulating materials for enteric medicaments. The coating or encapsulation prevents a release of the medicament until it has passed beyond the acid environment of the stomach to an area of basic pH where its beneficial ef feet is required.

The'carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose derivatives of this invention can also be employed as binders for reconstituted tobacco. They can be applied from a slightly alkaline aqueous solution. Upon drying, the binder be comes water resistant and does not dissolve in the smokers mouth.

In preparing shaped objects, including coatings on a substrate, with the modified ethyl cellulose of this invention, several methods of operation can be employed. In the simplest technique, a liquid solution of the modified ethyl cellulose is formed into the desired shape and is simply allowed to dry. This technique is used primarily for coating applications such as paints, varnishes, and lacquers. In this case, it is preferable that the alkaline material be one which is volatile at approximately room temperature such as, e.g., ammonia. If the substrate is heated prior to applying the solution, thermogelling will almost immediately give the solution sufficient body to prevent running or sagging while the water and the material which contributes alkalinity are being removed.

The thermogelling property makes the modified ethyl cellulose useful in the dip coating technique where the object being coated is heated to a temperature above the gelling temperature before immersion. The heated object causes the solution with which it comes into contact to gel almost immediately so that it adheres to the heated surface of the object when the object is removed from the solution.

In a specific application of the above dip coating technique, capsules suitable for use as medicament containers can be prepared by dipping hot pins in the shape of capsule halves into the solution. These pins are treated with an appropriate release agent so that the capsule halves can be easily removed therefrom. Capsules, prepared from the modified ethyl cellulose of this invention, can be used advantageously for enteric medicaments as suggested hereinabove.

The modified ethyl cellulose of this invention can be prepared by reacting alkali cellulose with ethyl chloride and either monochloroacetic acid or 2-chloropropionic acid. Reactions of this general type are known in the art for preparing cellulose ethers. In a preferred procedure, pure cellulose is treated with alkali, preferably sodium hydroxide, in the presence of the carboxyalkylating acid until the cellulose is sufficiently swelled and the carboxyalkyl substituent has reacted. Ethyl chloride and additional alkali are then added to accomplish the ethylation. It is also possible to carboxyalkylate a commercial ethyl cellulose by treating it with the carboxyalkylating acid in the presence of alkali.

In preparing the carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose of this invention according to the preferred process, cellulose is slurried in an organic liquid in which ethyl cellulose is insoluble and the carboxyalkylating acid and 50% perature, also at pH 3. The product was then air dried at 70C.

The carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose thus prepared has a D.S. 2.3 ethoxyl and 0.29 carboxymethyl. lt formed a clear 1% solution in 0.25% aqueous ammoniaat room temperature and gelled at 43C. Upon coolingto room temperature, the gel reverted to its original fluid state. The carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose was soluble up to at least 5% concentration in a 4:1 toluene-alcohol mixture.

EXAMPLE 2 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that only 2 parts of monochloroacetic acid was used.

NaOH are added to the slurry. The concentration of This product had a D.S. 0.14 carboxymethyl. 1t was not NaOH is sufficient to assure that the alkali/cellulose soluble in 0.25 aqueous ammonia at room temperaratio is about 0.04 to 0.95 and the molar ratio of alkali ture but dissolved readily to form a 1% solution on to carboxyalkylating acid is slightly greater than 2.0/1. cooling to 5C. This solution gelled when it was This slurry is agitated for sufficient time at room temwarmed to room temperature. perature to permit maximum swelling of the cellulose. At this point, additional alkali is added to adjust the al- EXAMPLE 3 kali/cellulose ratio to about 3 to 5 and the water/cel- Carboxymethyl celluloseof D.S. 0.40 (15 parts) was lulose ratio to about 2.5 to 5. The temperature is raised slurried in 180 parts of dioxane to which was added slowly to 130C., maintained at this point, and agitation 16.0 parts of 50% sodium hydroxide. This was agitated is continued until substantially all of the ethyl chloride for minutes, at which time another 108.2 parts of has reacted. Workup is accomplished by decanting the 50% sodium hydroxide was added, followed by another organic diluent, followed by neutralization of residual 10 minutes of agitation. The slurry was transferred to alkali to a pH of 3-4 and washing with hot water. an autoclave, 30.6 parts of solid, finely ground sodium The following examples will illustrate the preparation hydroxide was added and the autoclave placed in an ice of the carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose ethers of this inven- 30 bath to cool. After 1 hour, 73.3 parts of ethyl chloride tion. Parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwas added to the reaction mass and the autoclave was wise indicated. tumbled in an oil bath which was heated to 130C. in

the course of 1 hour. EXAMPLE 1 After about 16 hours reaction time at 130C., the liq- Twelve parts of chemical wood pulp was slurried in uid phase was decanted and the product was washed 4 155 parts of dioxane, 12.9 parts water and 4 parts times with hot water, the third and fourth washes being monochloroacetic acid. The slurry was stirred vigorconducted at a pH of 3. The product was then air dried ously, 12.8 parts 50% NaOH solution was added, and at 70C. 1 stirring was continued for 30 minutes. At this point, an- The carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose had a D.S. 243 other 85.1 parts of 50% NaOH was added, followed by 40 ethoxyl. It was soluble in a 4:1 toluene-alcohol mixture 10 minutes of vigorous stirring. The slurry was transand at the 1% level in a 0.25% aqueous ammonia at ferred to an autoclave chilled in an ice bath, 23.9 parts room temperature and also at 4C. The 1% solution of solid NaOH was added and the autoclave was alreached maximum thickness, but did not gel at 44C. lowed to stand in the ice bath. After 1. hour, 58.5 arts of ethyl chloride was added and the autoclave was 45 EXAMPLES 4 THROUGH 7 transferred to an oil bath. As the autoclave was tum- Using the procedure set forth in Example 1, a series bled in the oil bath, the temperature was raised to of carboxymethyl ethyl celluloses was prepared having 130C. over 1 hour and then held at that point for 16 different carboxymethyl and ethoxyl D.S. Properties of hours. these materials are described in the following table.

Example D.S. Solubility 0.25% Ammonia Gelation Temp.,

No. Carboxymethyl Ethoxyl ToluenezAlcohol R.T. 0C. C.

4 0.22 2.20 P.S. P.S.'" S) 5 0.28 2.24 S S S 42" 6 0.26 2.29 S S S 45 7 0.24 2.39 S S S 34 5% solution 0% solution *Soluble. ut not to 1% level "Solubility remained on warming to RT. "lhickened but did not gel; however. a 2% solution 0.5% acetic acid did gel.

After 16 hours, the dioxane and the other liquid com- EXAMPLE 8 ponents were decanted and the product was washed twice by stirring in water at to C. The pH of the third hot aqueous wash was lowered to 3 by addition of acetic acid. The product was then washed at room tem- The following mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 15C. (all parts by weight):

4 parts finely divided chemical cotton 40 parts 87% isopropan'ol 1 1.64 parts 72% aqueous NaOH (1.18 parts NaOl-l, -Continued 46 p t H2O) Designation 9 l 1 1 It was then heated to 70C. and a solution of 1.32 parts Second 50% NaOH addition 86.3 86.3 86.3 monochloroacetic acid in 4 parts 87% isopropanol was Em gg gfi i 55% gig fig? added. The reaction mixture was heated for 1 hour at eDth ID.S. 1( 3. 3.5 1 70C. with continued stirring. It was then cooled to y room temperature and the NaOH in the reaction mixture was neutralized with HCl. The product was washed The products purlfied descrlbed m Example with 80% ethanol, centrifuged and the centrifuge cake one per cent dlsperslons m 025% aqueous NH3 added to a pressure reactor together with 45.5 parts of 32:: $33 12 2 232: a lgz g g ti i a gz 55% aqueous NaOH and 24 parts ethyl chloride The chilled to 5C. clear smooth solutions were formed On mixture was stirred and pressurizedwith air to p. s.i. being heaed S|owly they gradually thickened 1 gg zx 21223? g fl gg ga i rg z; they gelled. The gelation temperatures were as follows: 140C. for 1 hour. The volatile solids were then boiled l5 9 10 11 off and the roduct urified as described in Exam le 1. 0 Analysis shgwed tha it had an ethoxyl D.S. of 2.05 and a carboxymethyl D.S. of 0.315. A 1% solution in 0.5% aqueous Nl-l was clear and smooth after chilling and A fil cast f h aqueous NH l i f Examhad a gelation temperature of 54C. 20 ple 11 was dried overnight at 35C. and 2 hours at A 5% solution of this product in 2.6% aqueous NH 70C. After this treatment, it was insoluble and did not was prepared by chilling. Two mil films were cast from Swell in Waterthis solution and dried at room temperature plus 4 What I claim and desire to Protect y Letters Patent hours at 70C. These films were then insoluble in water. 15: The films were compared with films of the same thick- A carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose havmg an ethoxyl ness of two commercial grades of ethyl cellulose (Herof about 20 to and a carboxyalkyl I of cules G50 and G100, Hercules Incorporated, g about 0.05 to 0.5 and selected from the class consisting ton, Delaware). The latter were cast from solutions in of carboxymethyland carbo-Xyet-hyl Sald modlfied toluene-alcohol (4:1). The following table shows that ggr zz i g i gg Zi g: El 323 :i the modified ethyl cellulose was comparable to the A method of preparing a Shaped object which two in film z l t l grs g Q gfiif r f l g il comprises providing a solution of carboxyalkyl ethyl use t was compal'a e to t e m 0 en cellulose in a dilute alkaline aqueous system, said carance and was much superior to both films in resistance boxyalkyl ethyl cellulose being selected from the class to transmission of oxygen and water vapor. The latter consisting of carboxymethyl and carboxyethyl ethyl results are unexpected and surprising. cellulose and having an ethoxyl D.S. of about 2.0 to 2.8

Film Properties Designation:

CMEC EC G- EC 6-100 Tensile Properties Strength (psi) l2,600 "l,0O0 11.4001700 [3,4001900 Elongation 37.0: 38.0- '-2.0 37913.0 Modulus (psi) 338,000fl0,000 307,000fl0,000 344,000i20,000 MIT Fold Endurance 1650 1860 4240 (double fold) high 2002 high 2175 high 5173 low 1426 low 1503 low 3249 Permeability Oxygen transmission 290 1210 1487 (cc/ in. /24 hr.) Water vapor transmission 6.4 10.0 10.3

(gm/100 in. per 24 hr.

"Span 2 in. crosshead speed 2 in./min. chart l0 inJmin. ASTM-D 2176, tension 200 gm.

"ASTM-D 1436 *ASTM-E 96, Procedure B Note: Tests run on 2 mil films.

EXAMPLES 9-1 1 The procedure employed was similar to that given in Example 1 except for the use of 2-chloropropionic acid instead of monochloroacetic acid. The following table 60 summarizes the data (all parts by weight):

Designation 9 1O 1 l Cellulose 12.0 12.0 12.0 Dioxan 155 155 Water 12.9 12.9 12.9 2-Chloro ropionic acid 1.8 3.6 4.6

First 50 0 NaOH addition 

1. A CARBOXYALKYL ETHYL CELLULOSE HAVING AN ETHOXYL D.S. OF ABOUT 2.0 TO 2.8 AND A CARBOXYALKYL D.S. OF ABOUT 0.05 TO 0.5 AND SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF CARBOXYMETHYL AND CARBOXYETHYL, SAID MODIFIED ETHYL CELLULOSE BEING SOLUBLE IN DILUTE AQUEOUS BASES AND INSOLUBLE IN NEUTRAL OR ACID AQUEOUS MEDIUM.
 2. A method of preparing a shaped object which comprises providing a solution of carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose in a dilute alkaline aqueous system, said carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose being selected from the class consisting of carboxymethyl and carboxyethyl ethyl cellulose and having an ethoxyl D.S. of about 2.0 to 2.8 and a carboxyalkyl D.S. of about 0.05 to 0.5, forming said solution to the desired shape, and drying the formed solution under conditions whereby the material which contributes alkalinity to the aqueous phase is removed.
 3. The method of claim 2 where the shaped object is a coating on a sUbstrate.
 4. The method of claim 2 where the shaped object is formed by dipping a hot object of the desired shape into the solution and withdrawing the same with a coating of gelled carboxyalkyl ethyl cellulose thereon. 